Boiler feed-water regulator



D. R. KNAPP.

BOILER FEED WATER REGULATOR.

APPLICATION FILED APR.10, 1920.

Patented Apr. 26, 1921.

INVENTOR. MW 125 5) TATENT FFEQE.

DAVID R. KNAZPP, OF POTTSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

BOILER FEED-WATER REGULATOR.

Laramie.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 26, 1921.

Application filed April 10, 1920. Serial No. 372,919.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, DAVID R. KNAPP, a citizen of the United States, residing in Pottsville in the county of Schuylkill and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Boiler Feed-Water Regulators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of devices wherein a substantial device is inserted in the water line feeding a steam boiler to automatically keep the water in the boiler at an approximate constant level and my object is to provide a simple and efficient device adapted to be inserted in the feed water line to control the How of water to the boiler and this device be operated by the varying water level.

With this object in view my invention consists in a certain novel construction, as will, hereinafter more fully be described and pointed out in the claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming part thereof and in which the figure is a view showing the principle features and a diagrammatic arrangement of the parts.

Referring to the drawing the numeral 1 designates a steam boiler in which it is desired to maintain the water level approximately to the line AB. The numeral 2 designates a water column usually found on steam boilers and is connected to the steam side of the boiler by the pipe 3 and to the water side of the boiler by the pipe 4.

It it obvious that the level of the water in the column will be the same as that in the boiler.

The numeral 5 designates a feed water line through which water is fed to the boiler and 6 designates a valve inserted therein for controlling the water flow. This valve may be any of the many forms but for a convenient illustration I have shown a type known to the art as a balanced valve and in which the valve is operated by the reciprocating stem 7.

Said stem 7 terminates into a yoke through which a lever arm is pivoted. The numeral 9 designates a fulcrum for said lever arm.

The numeral 10 designates a weight, adjustable on the lever arm 8 and the numeral 11 designates a receptacle positioned above the desired water level AB and pivotally connected to the lever arm 8 on the side 01pposite t0 the Weight 10 50 that the weigt 10 and the weight of the receptacle are in opposition.

The numeral 12 designates a pipe connecting the top of the receptacle 11 to the water column at a point where thelevel of the water is desired to be maintained.

The numeral 13 designates a pipe connecting the bottom of the receptacle to a point below the desired water level. Interposed in said pipe 13 and near the water column extremity is the cooling coil 14. Said coil is adapted to hold a considerable quantity of water so that when water enters the tank or receptacle 11 from the pipe 13 it will be of a decided lower temperature compared with the water drawn from the water column 2. Said pipes 12 and 13 are of a small size to allow flexibility and said cooling coil 14 is so positioned that it will not influence the flexibility of the pipe 13.

' Having thus described the various parts throughout the view its mode of operation will be substantially as follows, all of which will be understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention relates:

It will be assumed that suificient pressure is present in the feed line to feed the water to the boiler and that the water is below the normal level AB exposing the inlet of the pipe 12 to steam. Under this condition it is desired to feed water to the boiler to bring it up to its normal level. Steam will be communicated to the receptacle 11 through the pipe 12 and under this condition it will have its minimum weight. The weight 10 is positioned on the lever arm 8 to a point where it will overbalance the receptacle 11 and move the valve stem in a direction to open the valve allowing water to enter the boiler. When the water in the boiler has raised to a point where the steam supply to the receptacle 11 through the pipe 12 is cut off, the steam in the receptacle 11 will condense by reason of its loss in temperature resulting in a partial vacuum being formed therein which will draw water from cooling coil 14 through the pipe 13 to the receptacle 11. This cold Water when it enters the receptacle 11 will accelerate the condensation resulting in a substantial vacuum being quickly formed which will cause the receptacle being quickly filled. After said receptacle is filled and communication established between the pipes 12 and 13 there will be formed a continual circulation due to the siphon being established.

The additional weight of the receptacle 11 caused by its being filled with water will be sufiicient to overbalance the weight 10 and the stem 7 will move the valve in a direction to cut off the water supply. When the water has receded to a level, due to evaporation, Where the inlet ofthe pipe 12 is again exposed to steam, the siphon will be broken and the water will drain from the receptacle through the pipe 13 and at the same time steam will enter said receptacle through the pipe 12, placing the mechanism a in a position for another cycle of operation,

thus accomplishing the'objeet of my said in vention.

Having thus described my said invention and what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a feed water regulator of the character described for a steam boiler, a valve in the feed line, a weight adapted to operate being in communication with the boiler at and below the water level and a cooling coil inserted in the communicating line that is below the ater level, substantially as described. v

2. Ina feed water regulator, a supply pipe connected to a steam boiler, a valve in said pipe, means arranged to operate said valve in one direction, a receptacle connected to operate said valve in the opposite direction and arranged to be controlled by gravity, a conduit forming a communication between said receptacle and the portion of the boiler below the water level therein, and a cooling coil forming a portion of said conduit In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

, DAVID R. KNAPP.

Witnesses CLAYTON A. HILL, Roy W. CLARK. 

